802.11ac Deployment
3
2
Deployment Considerations
802.11ac Deployment
The FAP-U422EV is backward compatible with 802.11a/n and 802.11b/g/n clients, so you can
upgrade your network today, and the existing client base will work with the new FAP U422EV.
Fortinet provides solutions for both single-channel architecture (SCA) and multi-channel archi-
tecture, depending on the requirements for a particular customer's business and/or use case.
Enterprises can add the FAP-U to their existing network to support additional capacity as part
of their existing deployment. However, there are recommended best practices for operating a
network that includes both 11n and 11ac APs. See the <Link>“Migrating to Wave2 FAP” chap-
ter for more details.
WLAN Controller
Customers are required to upgrade the controller software, FortiWLC (SD) to version 8.3.4 or
later to support the FAP-U422EV.
FAPs support two data plane modes, bridged and tunneled. In bridged mode, also known as
the remote AP mode, the data traffic from the client is bridged locally at the access layer or
edge switch. Control and AP management traffic is still sent between the AP and the controller
in bridged mode. In tunneled mode, all data, AP management, and control traffic is passed
through the controller.
Clients per AP
The BYOD phenomenon has changed the enterprise network landscape and has forced IT
managers to plan ahead for all types of user-owned mobile devices. BYOD typically means cli-
ent densities are increasing, as it is not unusual for users to carry two or three WLAN-capable
devices at a time. With BYOD, the client count per AP/radio has continued to rise, as one
would expect. What follows are some general client density guidelines for the FAP-U422EV.
•
The maximum capability of the FAP-U422EV is 128 clients per radio, or 256 clients per AP.
